We really liked this hotel. Check-in was quick and easy and we were escorted to our room with our luggage following us shortly thereafter. We stayed for 2 weeks on an all inclusive basis. The food in the buffet is very good compared to other AI resorts we have stayed at. Of course, it gets repetitive, it would do if you went to any restaurant 3 times a day for 14 days but the quality was pretty good in my opinion. There are also 5 "speciality" restaurants which you have to pre-book (steakhouse, mediterranean, oriental, fish and mexican). We only tried the Mediterranean and the Steakhouse. Steakhouse was good but Mediterrean was pretty rubbish. Our room was fairly spacious and came equipped with fridge, iron and ironing board, hairdryer, air con, safety deposit box and ... umbrella! We never needed the brolly! The room was cleaned every day and to a high standard. There was a musty smell in the room when we arrived but it went away (or we just got used to it!). The swimming pools are excellent with lots of sunbeds and plenty of shade. We found the service in all the bars to be top class. The resort covers a large area but if you can't be bothered walking there are plenty of trolley buses running around to ferry you from one point to another. The evening entertainment was good but repeated on the second week. Our only disappointment was the beach which was very small with sunbeds packed in like a sardine tin. We never stayed on the beach as we prefer to sit by the pool but everytime we visited or passed by it was really really busy. Shame! As a guest of this hotel you are entitled to one free visit to Xcaret eco park next door which is definitely worth a visit. Snorkelling through the underground river with bats flying above your head is a realy experience. All in all we really enjoyed our stay at the Occidental Grand Xcaret and are sure to return in the future.

Just returned from this hotel, The only bad point was a damp smell in our room. The rest was great.

You get a good choice of pools whether you want to join in some fun, sit at the pool bar relax in the quiet pools or just head down to the small man made cove.

The entertainment was of excellent quality they work their socks off. The only drawback with going for 2 weeks is that the shows are repeated.

The same with the food, we ate at the buffet most nights and again, the second week the food theme is repeated. You may read about the food being bad but in my opinion, you had a good choice and the quality for a buffet I thought was pretty good.

Simon

Enjoyed staying at this hotel
excellent food,
free access to Xcaret park.

This hotel was excellent. We had a junior suite, and you definitely got more room (we found out when they moved us in preparation for Hurrican Ivan!).

The food was outstanding, huge selection and very tasty. They did themed nights in the main Buffet Restaurant, but there was always something for everyone - I'm a fussy eater and my Mum's vegetarian, but there was never a problem.

The specialty restaurants were great too. Our only regret was that our booking for the Seafood restaurant on our last night was cancelled (because of Ivan).

I have marked down the location, because it feels like it is in the middle of nowhere! Taxi's were quite cheap, but if you are after nightlife then this hotel might not be for you.

The hotel entertainment (evenings) was probably the most professionally staged and best I've seen at a hotel, and they did have their own "nightclub" - so it's not like you have to be in bed by ten because there's nothing to do.

If you want to spend time in Xcaret park, then this is definitely the hotel for you - it's a 2-minute walk away! The park is amazing - you get a free visit from this hotel and we paid $20 to go back a second time, it was so good. The night show at the park is very impressive - not to be missed, even if you are tired after a day around the park.

I have marked down the staff as in most cases they were friendly and helpful and spoke excellent English. However the front desk staff let the hotel down - saying they would call back in a few minutes (only for you to have to call them back in 40!), and vaguely waving you in the direction of where you asked to go - instead of giving good directions.

We arrived at night, tired after a 10 hour flight, and found it impossible to find our room - this is a big resort. It's fine in the day time when you can see all the signs, and there are also little trains going around all the time to save your feet.

All in all, I would definitely recommend this hotel.